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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

N’Golo Kante targeted for Saudi Arabia transfer as Chelsea uncertainty grows

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, amid growing uncertainty over his future at Stamford Bridge.

Kante is out of contract this summer and talks over a deal new have stalled. The 32-year-old is the latest high-profile star being targeted by the Saudi Pro League, which has attracted Karim Benzema to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Gulf state.

Lionel Messi is also in talks over a £320million-a-year move to Saudi Arabia, in what would be the most lucrative salary deal in the history of football.

Kante is attractive to the Saudis because he is viewed as a Muslim role model. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are one of the clubs interested in the France World Cup Winner, while Benzema’s Al-Ittihad are also said to be keen on a move.

Future uncertain: N’Golo Kante could be the latest big-name star to move to Saudi Arabia (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Kante has won every available trophy other than the League Cup at Chelsea, but he could leave Stamford Bridge as the Blues rebuild their midfield under Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea are targeting a move for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo after cooling interest in Sporting Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte.

Mateo Kovacic also looks set to leave Chelsea this summer after being given permission to speak to Manchester City.

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